The Enemy

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.

Chapter Twenty Six - Running on a whim

Kirra:

I had somehow come to the conclusion that no matter what happened I was going to die, so I decided to choose my own death. If, I was going to die in the next twenty-four hours I wanted it to be in battle, not lingering in my father's hands.

Coming to that conclusion and setting things into motion turned out to be two very different things for I knew I was going against every thing that I considered honourable. I was breaking my vow, betraying my clan, and I was just so afraid of what father might do to me.

I was almost willing to accept that I was being paranoid, that even with all the secrets father kept from me, and the lies he told me he wouldn't, couldn't kill me. I was just being extremely paranoid about father killing me with the rest of the enemies, but that inner voice refused to stay silent.

The inner voice pestered and badgered me, refusing to take no for an answer, refusing to accept any excuse I came up with.

So somehow someway I found myself suddenly walking the path of a traitor, willing to help those I had once called family. A family, I might add, that was no longer mine and would be just as willing to kill me as those I now turned against.

I was agitated and so were they, neither of us was really at ease with the other, there was no sense of trust either but for a short time at least we would have to rely on one another if we were to all get out alive.

Well, get them out alive, if I could.

I watched them grab equipment and make use of the food and drink bolting it down in large mouthfuls.

Each of the adult turtles picked their specialty as well as stocking up on smaller weapons, like the dart, daggers and shuriken. They tested their weapons with simple katas trying to ease the stiffness from arms and legs that had to ache from lessons and long periods of immobility.

I saw the young girl choose a four foot jo staff and Ryu, as I sort of expected went for a katana, but Leonardo was quick to over rule the boy.

" Take the wakizashi son. It will be easier to handle with your one arm broken" He insisted he was standing with one arm around Karena talking to her in low whispers.

I strode over towards them " You best grab something too Karena" I declared.

Leonardo cut between her and I, trying his best to strike an intimidating and imposing figure, giving me a baleful stare out of the one eye that was swollen shut. " She doesn't know how to handle any weapons."

" Of all the stupid idiotical. What kind of a Baka are you?" I snapped at him, " The condition you are in we could use extra help. Did you believe she would never be threatened without one of you nearby to protect her?" I fumed. " Your desire to play hero might be the death of her tonight."

I was angry with him and wasn't about to hide it, he wasn't the leader of me, besides I had expected the great leader to have had a bit more sense then that!

" Karena knows hand to hand but she never was interested in learning weapons" Leonardo stated calmly.

I grunted in disdain and went over to where the staffs were and grabbed hold of one, " Tonight she carries a weapon even if she can't handle it. It might save her life" I insisted tossing the weapon towards them and Leo caught it in his hands before passing it to his wife.

" What is the plan Leo?" I heard Donatello ask.

I snorted, I knew he turned to Leonardo out of familiarity but still it was foolishness to do so now.

" How can he make a plan when he has no idea what he is up against or where he is even at?" I countered in scoffing tone.

" We've done it before and if we wanted your help we'd kick ya…" Raphael began.

" Without my help you'd still be in the cell and awaiting your execution and I can put you back there" I reminded him sharply, " Don't think I won't do it either. As far as I am concerned that is still an option." I reminded him sharply glaring at each of them by turn to let them know clearly how I felt, " The best bet you have of getting out of here is for you to follow my lead."

Raph snarled but Leonardo gave him a sharp look and he fell silent, Leo looked at me nodded his head.

" Just down the hall is one of father's many secret passages, that are used quite frequently by the Elite and father. The one down the hall leads to the office area on ground level, from there it isn't far to the back door, and access to the sewers" I tossed my head and sighed, " If we go that way we might only have to battle through the office area, that way you can conserve energy."

Leonardo glanced my way " Is there any other way out?"

" We can fight our way past the Foot soldiers to the office area then fight our way through there to escape. Do you think you can hold up to intense fighting?" I asked, " Either that or we can go up for a rooftop escape still fighting all the way and most likely hit an ambush on the roof. If we go for the passage I can hopefully send any Foot Soldiers off on a wild goose chase on this floor, but it is a trick to be used sparingly." I swallowed a bit " The Foot can sometimes be a bit slow, far too used to taking orders, but the Elite and father are different it would be game over if we run into them." I stressed the last bit " I will guide you out and do my best to get you out alive but I promise nothing. After all, ask yourselves how much does your life mean to you?"

" You know Leo they might not be expecting a roof top escape," Donatello suggested as he took a large swallow of his drink.

I could see that Leonardo was considering that option so I decided to step in " Fighting up against the enemy is harder then fighting down. The Foot can attack anywhere between here and the exit" I reminded them quickly, " Can Karena jump rooftops in her condition? I doubt that any of you would be up to packing her right now. Still" I paused and smirked at Leonardo " Your call."

Leonardo seemed to reflect on what had been said for only the briefest of moments before coming to his decision " We will go by the secret passage."

I nodded, it really was the safest route but safe or not I still had the feeling that we were all walking into a trap, then again almost any path we took tonight would lead to a trap. I was expecting to see father anywhere and everywhere.

I knew it was physically impossible for father to be everywhere at once, but he might give that illusion, after all father knew the quickest and easiest route was to go down to the offices, so he would be there, he also knew the turtles weren't strong enough for intense battle. However I had a feeling if we had opted to escape by the roof father would be waiting for us above.

I knew what I was, I knew what I was doing, and I knew I would pay for my crimes of treason, for losing honour but it seemed that my choice was made and I just had to see it all through.

" I'll go check that the way is clear," I told them as I slipped out of the door.

I hadn't gone far when I spotted a handful of anxious Foot come bustling towards me " Kirra the prisoners have escaped…"

" I have heard. I have all ready searched and secured all the practise rooms with weapons, go back that way and keep looking" I ordered sharply, " if you see anything sound the alarm, the more of us on hand the less chance the turtles have of getting away. Don't try to be heroic and lose us everything. Now move it!" I barked.

I waited until they hustled away in the other direction before returning to the practice room where the others waited.

" It is clear at the moment, but the alert has gone out that you have escaped, so father knows you're free. The fact that he hasn't contacted me tells me, that he may suspect I have turned against him. He is probably waiting below for all of us." I admitted trying not to squirm with unease or discomfort.

" We stick to the plan" Leonardo insisted, " lead us to the passage."

His last words sounded far too much like an order to me so I snarled at him " Let us get one thing straight, I am a lone ninja now. I have no clan and no leader. I am a ghost ninja. I don't take orders from you."

With that said we made our way cautiously out into the hallway and towards the secret panel, which lead the way to our escape. As I neared the passage I got the others to stay hid in the shadows while I, opened the door to the hidden area.

No one was waiting in the darkened passage to attack us and I couldn't see any one in the darkness of the cramped passage beyond, satisfied that it was safe I gestured for the others to follow.

All of them entered the corridor moving quickly and quietly as possible, Raphael brought up the rear and he shut the panel door enclosing us all into pitch blackness of the narrow corridor.

" Any other doors in or out of this squeeze box?" I heard Michaelangelo whisper from somewhere behind me.

" No, and due to how close of space we are in I don't think we have to fear any attack after all there is barely room for us to move forward. It is when we leave here that the fight will begin." I whispered back.

Raph huffed " Maybe this is how Yukio plans to execute us all."

I moved slowly hoping that if I took my time that father, might decide that we had gone a different way, of course father probably had people ready to report on what direction we were heading in.

He knew we were coming, I knew he was waiting at the other end. That thought was enough to make me question whether I was doing the right thing or not, of course it was too late to back out now. I pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind, knowing I had to concentrate and prepare on what waited for us.

" You okay Rama?" Michaelangelo asked softly his voice full of concern.

He seemed very aware of my doubts and uncertainties and I could feel him trying to mentally bolster my confidence and spirits.

Okay? How could he even ask that? How could I answer it? I wondered to myself.

I knew what was happening and I was more terrified then I had been in my entire life. Yet I reminded myself that this had truly been my own choice.

" I'm okay. I hope you are all ready because this is where the fun begins" I replied.

I opened the passage door and as I expected just beyond stood father, Kuma and many of the other Elite soldiers. Father arched an eyebrow before scowling at me.

I felt my blood turn cold and I would have stepped back if I wasn't aware of the other turtles behind me quickly exiting the passage so they could be ready for battle, they drew their weapons and stood in defensive postures in a semi –circle behind me.

" Kirra" father hissed a sneer on his face, " How dare you betray me after everything that I have done for you?" he demanded sharply.

I let out a strangled squeak and I trembled in fear, my heart began pounding hard and fast under my plastron. Somewhere in my mind I heard someone, or something telling me what an ungrateful and unworthy child I was. How I deserved to be beaten severely for my crime.

I shut my eyes not wanting to hear this now, not wanting to see his displeasure and anger because I knew what it meant.

I realized then that I really wasn't ready for this battle.

TBC

Melodist: This story is closer to over then you may think, about five chapters left in total, though there is a sequel called " A Sense of Family" which I plan on starting the rewrite for as soon as I finish this rewrite and " The Legacy" rewrite. A gratitude for your insight.

Lunar Ninja: Much as Raph might have it out for Rama he also wants to be out of Foot headquarters and alive. Once he is out then he can deal with Rama at his leisure. Trust me there is still conflict and in the sequel Raph really has problems with Rama. A gratitude for your insight.

Reinbeauchaser: Now what? Well it seems they must all get out alive and the odds of it happening aren't that good, of course it also depends on if Rama will stick to her choice now that it is made, or how well she sticks to it that is. A gratitude for your insight.